Your Guide to Looking This Good at Graduation

We gotta say, Emma Watson nailed it.

This weekend, our favorite former Harry Potter star made headlines for accepting her diploma at Brown. And while we laud Emma Watson for fulfilling her collegiate duties (and becoming an Ivy League alumna, no less), we couldn't help but take note of her killer lipstick and fresh-faced beauty.

As Emma demonstrates, confidence is key. And the last thing you want to be tripping you up on stage (literally) is a last thought about your hair or makeup. Graduation, like prom, is one of those big days that you anticipate, plan, and think about constantly. But unlike at prom, which lets every girl feel like Cinderella, every graduation ceremony comes with an individuality-annihilating outfit. We consulted a couple of A-list pros to find out how to stay sweat-proof and pretty (just like Emma) on your big day.

The Hair:
Graduation's mane rule: "The whole point of the day is the hat, so you just have to commit to it," insists Peter Butler, stylist to stars like Kate Upton. "And furthermore, this is not the time to change your look or experiment with something new. You should be mindful that the focus is on your accomplishments and education. The hat is a symbol of that!" OK, fine. But ugh hat hair. "Today is a special day, so I'd really recommend going to get a blowdry. It's inevitably going to be hot and you'll be sitting for two or more hours—if you want hair that can still look good throughout the day, a blowout will help," he says. Of course, a lot of ceremonies are held first-thing, so you might even consider getting one the night before, then tying your hair up in a silk scarf before you go to sleep. "But since it's summer and hot, you have to be careful with touch-ups," Butler says. "You don't want to layer hairspray or dry shampoo. It creates too much texture on the hair." Instead, pop a mini vial of a lightweight dry oil (he loves MoroccanOil Light) in your purse and run it through the lengths to tame frizz and add shine.

If a salon visit isn't an option, the best way to add some insurance to your look is to style smartly. "Setting lotions, like Oribe Maximista, will definitely hold a curl," he says. "You spray the section before you style. Just don't brush it out so it keeps the shape," he says. And as for the hat, he recommends securing it with bobby pins before you finish your 'do, so you know exactly how your hair will look once the top is flattened. Once it comes off, a blowdry will stay put but your roots might need some quick revitalizing. For that, avoid matte textures that will only make your hair feel crispy. Instead, opt for a dry conditioner like Oribe Thick. Flip your hair upside down, then blast the root a few times and run your fingers through your hair until it's smooth.

The Makeup:
Once again, it's all about the cap. "The hat will draw attention to your face," says makeup guru Jeanine Lobell. "Make sure any glaring issues such as stray eyebrow hairs or pimples are well managed." (For the former, check out Jeanine's video tutorial for perfect power brows here, and for the latter, check out this miraculous acne concealing lesson here.) "The brim of the cap will also cast a shadow under your eye," she points out. "So even if you don't naturally have under eye circles, you might end up looking like you do. You should definitely consider applying a little extra concealer that day." In fact, going the extra mile under the eyes will really count. Start with a photo-ready concealer like Make Up For Ever HD, diffuse it with a fluffy eyeshadow brush, and then set with yellow retouching powder to color-correct purple shadows. Anything to brighten and widen the eyes (read: no heavy liquid liner, a mistake Lobell herself made back in the day!) will also help, so consider a pop of pearl or opalescent shadow in the corner of your eyes. And, as Emma demonstrated, luminous skin is a must for the cameras. Sweep a highlighting blush, like Hourglass's, on the high planes of the cheeks in a neutral shade. On the lips, you may consider a swipe of something natural, but a bold pout in a classic color, like Emma's red, brings life to the face and a dash of individuality to the ensemble. For fool-proof and budge-proof color, sketch your lips in with liner and leave it at that. (M.A.C. Cherry is your best bet.)